YouTube Basics #2 – What you need to do Directly after Creating your Channel

One thing I’m not going to talk about in this basic tutorial is the initial forming of your channel. The reasons for this is 1, because it’s super easy and I don’t want to waste time, and 2, because Google and YouTube already do a great job of teaching you if you really need help. What I am going to be talking about is the first thing you should be doing after you create your channel. Obviously we’re going to need to start making some content, but what else is there to think about? The next step is creating your grabber video (trailer) and editing the home page of your channel.

Can I start creating content?

Absolutely! The more content the better. BUT, QUALITY OVER QUANTITY. Remember that. Each video is going to be another catcher. And by this I mean you need to be catching peoples attention and converting them into subscribers. If you make crappy videos just because you want to get content out, you just lost chances at more subscribers. Well that was silly! Create the content, go through this section and then decide if you’re ready to start posting it!

Step One: Create your grabber video.

What the heck is a grabber video? This is the video that EVERYONE is going to first see automatically playing on the homepage of your channel before they even subscribe. This needs to “grab” their attention and make them want to stay! Obviously I shouldn’t have to tell you, but the grabber video should be based around YOU and your THEME! Let’s look at an example.

When I got to Syndicates page, the video automatically started (because I’m not a subscriber) and I was automatically seeing exactly what he wanted me to! His grabber video is directed towards grabbing Call of Duty fans, but initially you should start with something broad and directly focused on your niche (market).

Step 2: Customize your homepage so that people aren’t just seeing who your subscribe to and like!

We just looked at how Syndicates homepage is set up, but how do you get it to look like that? You need to make categories to fit under your grabber video, and you have to have that video already made. Then you’re going to go to your homepage and click “Edit Channel Navigation” and then enable Browse View. From there you can now customize accordingly. You will be able to add a trailer (grabber video) and also categories for your channel.

Step 3: Create content for those categories.

Okay, now you’re that you already posted your grabber video, or trailer as YouTube calls it, it’s time to start creating content. You don’t necassarilly want to post anything yet because we still have to go over graphics in the next tutorial!

What’s next?

In the next portion of these basic guides we’re going to be talking about graphics. This is going to cover everything from sticking to your theme, to when to be different. Hope you’re ready!